Protractor.



No. 802,674. PATENTED OCT. 24, 1905. A. ANDERSON.

PROTRAGTOR.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 1,1904.

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PPOTRACTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24, 1905.

Application filed July l, 1904. Serial No. 214,958.

To .tZZ LI/77.0771, t T11/ay concern:

Be it known that I, ABRAHAM ANDERSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Moline, county of Rock Island, State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Protractors, of which the following' is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention has for its object to provide an improved instrument whereby angles, lines, Ste., may be laid down on plane, curved, regular, or irregular surfaces much more effectively than has been possible with any instruments heretofore devised and which may be used by machinists, patent-makers, carpenters, and the like for laying out work.

The invention consistsin the features of improvement hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying' drawings, and more particularly pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

T wish it distinctly understood that while I call my improved instrument a protractor I do not wish such term to be understood as one of limitation, since in practice it will be found that my instrument has functions and advantages not incident to existing protractors.

Figure l is a plan View of a protractor embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in horizontal section on line 2 2 of Fig. 3, parts being' shown in plan. Fig. 3 is a side view of the instrument. Fig. A is a view in vertical section on line 4C 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail end view of the adjustable sleeve and parts contained therein, the locknut being removed.

The body A of the protractor comprises a ehambered casing, in one side of which are formed openings a, and opposite these openings t are mounted the pins or studs B, whereon are pivotally supported the gage-arms O, these pivoted arms O, the means for turning them about their pivot-points, and the means for holding' them in desired position constituting important features of my present invention. The inner ends c of the gage-arms O are preferably rounded, as shown, and set between the heads 2 and 3 within the casing A. The head 2 is screw-threaded lirmly to the reduced inner end of a rod D, that extends in manner free to slide through a sleeve E, that is revolubly held within an outer sleeve F, that passes from the inside to the outside of the casing A, the periphery of the sleeve F being screw-threaded to engage corresponding threads formed upon the interior of a boss a2, projecting from one side of the casing A. The outer end of the clamping-rod D is formed with an expanded screw-threaded portion (Z, that sets over the outer end of the sleeve E, and the outer end of this sleeve E is provided with an outwardly-projecting annular flange e, that overlaps the outer end of the outermost sleeve F. The sleeve E is revolubly sustained within the sleeve F, but is held against longitudinal movement with respect thereto by the flange e at its outer end and by thehead 3, that is screw-threaded to its inner end. Upon the outer threaded end portion Z of the rod D is fitted the interiorly-threaded lock-nut (Jr. This look-nut G- is formed with a milled rim g, whereby the n ut may be turned, and is formed also with an angular flange g, having an inwardly extending annular rim g2, that is slightly deeper than the flange e at the outer end of the sleeve E and is adapted to bear against the expanded cup-shaped open end 7 ofthe sleeve F, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This cup-shaped outer end lfof the sleeve F is preferably milled upon its pcriphery, as atf, so as to permit the sleeve F to be readily turned by the thumb and. foreiinger. The outer bearing ends of the gagearms O are preferably slightly enlarged and rounded, as at c2, so as to better adapt the arms t0 bear against the edge of the work whether straight, cylindrical, or otherwise curved.

From the construction of parts as thus far defined it will be seen that by turning the sleeve F through the medium of its milled outer end f the sleeve F can be moved inward or outward, carrying with itthe sleeve E, the rod D, and the heads 2 and 3, between which extend the inner ends of the pivoted arms or levers O. This inner and outer movement of the sleeve F will effect a corresljionding movement of the arms O about their pivotstuds C, and when the arms (l are thus moved to any desired extent they may be iixed against further movement by turning the lock-nut Gr. This turning of the lock-nut G, by reason of its engagement with the threaded end (Z of the rod D and by reason of the bearing of its annular flange g2 against the outer end of the sleeve F, causes the rod D to move outwardly and force the head 2 at its inner end to clamp the rounded end portions 0 of the arms O against the head 3 at the inner end of the sleeve E. The heads 2 and 3 are set against the bottom of the hollow body A (see Fig'. l) and prevent the rotation of the rod D and lOO sleeve E, so that when the flange g2 of the nut Gr is screwed iirmly into engagement with the end of the sleeve F the latter is also held against rotation and the heads 2 and 3 and arm C are locked against movement.

' The top of the casing A is closed by the disk-shaped base /z of the standard or upright H, this disk-shaped base /t having a reduced portion that sets within the top opening of the casing A and is provided with an annular g'roove L, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. A set-screw K, having a milled end t', passes through a threaded hole in the casing A, and the inner end of the screw K enters the annular groove /L/ and serves to hold the base /t of the standard H in place within the top of the casing A. By loosening the screw K the mount or disk /L can be rotated Aon its vertical axis, and by tightening the screw K the base /L can be fixed at any desired position with respect to the casing A. Preferably the annular groove /L' is formed with a curved wall, as shown, and is so located with respect to the end of the screw K that the tightening of the screw K tends to draw the expanded portion of the base /t in snug bearing with the top edge of the casing A. By reference more particularly to Figs. l, 3, and 4 of the drawings it will be seen that the upper end of the casing A is formed with an outwardlyprojecting segmental flange A2, the periphery of which is graduated or scaled, as at ai, and over this ange A2 extends a point or indicator H', that projects from the base /L of the standard H, the end of the indicator H being provided with a line or mark L, adapted to register with the scale a* beneath it.

The body of the standard H is preferably chambered or concavo-convex, as shown, and the chamber of this standard is closed by a disk M, that sets within an annular seat if of the standard. This disk M is formed with a stud m, that projects through a hollow boss h5, formed at the top of the standard H, and the outer end m of this stud is screw-threaded and is engaged by a correspondingly-thread ed thumb-nut P, that is adapted to bear upon the outer end of the boss /if of the standard H.v By tightening' the nut P the disk M can be held against revolution with respect to the standard H.

Midway between the periphery and center of the disk M or eccentrically thereon is mounted a stud or supporting-post R, an expanded portion r of which bears against the face of the disk M and the inner reduced end reduced 4end fr of the post R passes. By this means the post R can be revolubly sustained upon the disk M. In the post R is formed a long slot r4, adapted to receive a straight-edge marking-blade or scale-bar S, and in the outer end of the post R is formed a threaded opening to receive a set-screw T, having' a milled head whereby it may be conveniently turned. As shown, a wedge or key-block T' is interposed between the edge of the blade S and the end of the set-screw T, and by tightening the set-screw T the scale can be clamped down against the face of the disk M and the outer edge of the cup-shaped standard H, that is flush with the face of said disk. As shown, one end of the blade S carries a markingroller S', that is pivoted upon a stud s, projecting laterally from the edge of the scalebar, this roller serving as a means for marking lines when the blade S is drawn back and forth through the slot of the post R.

As shown, the expanded outer end of each of the arms C has extended vertically therethrough a shaft w, to the upper end of which is connected an eccentric disk WV, and to the threaded lower end of which shaft is connected a correspondingly-threaded jam-nut w. The eccentric disks W are shown as provided with holes 8, and in the upper edges of the arms C are formed chambers 10, in which are set retaining-pins 11, the reduced upper ends of which pins are adapted to enter the holes 8 in the disks WV. Coil-springs 12 within the chambers l0 force the pins l1 normally upwardly, as clearly shown in Fig'. 3 of the drawings. From the foregoing description it will be seen that by loosening the jam-nuts w the disks WV can be raised to the position shown in Fig'. 3 of the drawings and then can be turned so as to swing them outward, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. l, or can be swung inward until the reduced ends of the pins ll enter the holes 8. In certain classes of work the eccentric disks WV will turn outward, so that their edges project beyond the vertical faces of the round heads c2, and the disks thus extend slightly over the edge of the work (see Fig. l) and aid in holding' the instrument in accurate position with respect thereto.

As shown, the edges of the eccentric disks W are beveled and are adapted to enter co1'- respondingly beveled or countersunk holes formed in the straight gage or angle-bar X, this bar X being formed adjacent its countersunk or beveled holes with slots that enable the bar to be slipped over the shafts w and projecting ends of the pins 11 when it is desired to employ an angle-bar X, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

1t should be noted that the disk or mount L rotates on its own central axis and that the face of upright H and one edge of the straight-edge or scale-bar are in line with such axis. The gage-arms C extend at right angles to the axis of the rotatable disk or mount /L and are so located that when the disk is in zero position, as indicated by the scale A2, the straight-edge will be at right angles IOO IIO

to an imaginary line drawn between the ends of the gage-arms, so that by placing the gagearms against the edge of apiece of work lines at right angles thereto may be drawn upon the work, or if the work is round or cylindrical radial lines may be drawn. By rotating the disk or mount L lines at a desired angle to the edge or to the radius of a curved piece of work may be drawn. rlhe straightedge is adjusted to the desired angle by rotating the disk or mount /t to the proper position indicated onthe scale a2 and is securely held in this position by screw K.

By providing the gage-arms C instead of the usual straight-edge employed in protraetors the instrument may be very conveniently used to lay out radial lines or lines (see Fig. l) at any angle to the radius cylindrical or other pieces having a curved edge. The instrument is adapted for the convenient laying out of ratchet and clutch teeth and gears. Moreover, by adjusting the gage-arms C to proper positions with reference to the periphery of cylindrical and other curved pieces of work the instrument may be conveniently used with cylindrical and curved pieces of any size, and since both gage-arms are adjusted to equal extents the proper relations between them and the straight-edge blade S is always maintained.

The lines may be drawn by loosening the set-screw T and stuffing the blade S longitudinally through the post R to draw the marking-roller S over the surface o'll the work, or by tightening screw T the line may be ruled on the work by yusing the bar S as astraight-edge.

lt' the surface to be inscribed be curved or irregular, the set-screw T can be loosened, so as to permit the free movement of the scalebar S through the post R and so as to permit also the turning of the post R with respect to the disk M. Hence it will be seen that as the marking-roller S is drawn across the surface of the disk or body Y (assuming it to be concaved or irregular) the marking-roller Sl will follow the outline-surface of the body and inscribe the line across the same. By loosening the jam-nut P the disk M can be rotated to shift the post R and the scale-bar S to the desired height for marking concave, curved,.

or other irregular surfaces.

It will be noted that the marking-bar or straight-edge S swings in a vertical plane with the post R and in a horizontal plane with the base or mount H, so that it is universally connected to the body of the instrument; but at all times the edge of the marking-bar or the marking-roller will be in line with the vertical axis upon which base H rotates and may be adjusted to the desired angle with reference to the gage-arm C. rlhe gage-arm C will properly locate the instrument upon work or work-support having' either a curved or a straight bearing edge against which the ends of the gage-arms abut; but if the edges of the work or work-sup port are straight the instrument may be more convenintly employed by iixing the straight gage-bar X upon the ends ot the arms C.

It will be understood that numerous changes may be made in the details of structure without departure from the essentials of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isn

l. A protractor comprising a body or casing, a laterally-extending marking-blade rotatably mounted on said body or casing, apair of gage-arms connected to said body or casing and extending laterally therefrom beneath said marking-blade and means for adjusting said arms to spread or contract the same, substantiall y as described.

2. A protractor comprising a body or casing, a base or mount carried thereby and rotatable upon its vertical axis, a laterally-extending marking-blade carried by and longitudinally shiftable on said base or mount, a pair of adjustable gage-arms connected to said body or casing and extending laterally therefrom and means engaging said arms to spread or contract the same, substantially as described.

3. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, ol" a base or mount carried thereby and rotatable upon a vertical axis, a laterally extending markingblade on said base or mount, a pair oi' gage-arms having bearing ends pivoted to said casing and means engaging said arms to spread or contract the same, substantially as described.

4. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, of a base or mount rotatable about a vertical axis in said casing, a laterally-extending marking-blade carried by said base or mount, a pair ot' laterally-extending gage-arms pivoted to said casing and an adjusting-screw engaging the inner ends of said arms to spread or contract the same, su bstantially as described.

5. ln a protractor, the combination with the body or casing, and the marking-blade or straight-edge carried thereby, of a pair of gage-arms pivotally mounted on said casing, apair of abutments ei'igagingsaid arms, means for adjusting said abutments to spread orcontract said arms and means `for shifting said abutments toward each other to clamp said arms in position, substantially as described.

6. In a protractor, the combination with the body or casing and a marking-bar or straight-edge carried thereby, a pair of laterally-proj ecting gage-arms having bearing ends pivoted to said body or casing, a pair ot' abut- IOO ments engaging said arms, an adjusting-screw for shifting said abutments to spread or contract said arms and a lock-nut for shifting said abutments toward each other to hold said arms in position, substantially as described.

7. In a protractor, the combination with the body or casing and the 'marking-bar or straight-edge carried thereby, a pair of laterally-projecting gage-arms having bearing en ds pivoted to said body or casing, a sleeve whereon one of said abutments is mounted, a rod whereon the other of said abutments is mounted extending through said sleeve, means for locking said sleeve and rod together and means for adjusting said sleeve and rod and said abutments simultaneously in opposite directions to spread or contract said gage-arms, substantially as described.

8. In a protractor, the combination with the body or casing and the marking-bar or straight-edge carried thereby, a pair of laterally-projecting gage-arms having' bearing ends pivoted to said body or casing, a sleeve whereon one of said abutments is mounted, a rod whereon the other of said abutments is mounted extending' through said sleeve, means for locking said rod and sleeve together and a second screw-tln'eaded sleeve revolubly mounted upon said lirst-mentioned sleeve for simultaneously adjusting said abutments in opposite directions to spread or contract said arms, substantially as described.

9. In a protractor, the combination with the body or casing and the marking-bar or straight-edge carried thereby, a pair oflaterall y-projecting gag'e-arms having bearing ends pivoted to said body or casing, a sleeve whereon one of said abutments is mounted, a rod whereon the other of said abutments is mounted extending through said sleeve, a lock-nut on said rod arranged to engage said sleeve and a second screw-threaded sleeve rotatably mounted on said first-mentioned sleeve for adjusting said abutments to spread or contract said arms, substantially as described.

l0. In a protractor, the combination with the body or casing and the marking-bar or straight-edge carried thereby, a pair of laterally-projecting gage-arms having bearing ends pivoted to said body or casing, a sleeve whereon one o1' said abutments is mounted, a rod whereon the other of said abutments is mounted extending' through said sleeve,l a second screw threaded sleeve revolubly mounted upon said irst-mentioned sleeve and arranged to simultaneously adjust said abutments in opposite directions to spread or contract said arms and a lock-nut on said rod arranged to engage both of said sleeves to lock said arms `in adjusted position,substantially as described.

ll. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing and with the straight-edge or marking-blade carried thereby, o1' a pair of laterally-extending gag'e-arms pivoted to said body or casing and having offsets at their inner ends extending' inwardly toward each other, a pair of oppositely-arranged abutments engaging said offsets, a sleeve connected to one o1' said abutments, a rod connected to the other of said abutments and extending through said sleeve, means Jfor locking said sleeve and rod together and means for simultaneously adjusting' said sleeve and rod in opposite directions to spread and contract said gage-arms, substantially as described.

l2. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing and with the straight-edge or marking-blade carried thereby, o1' a pair ot laterally-extending' g'age-arms pivoted to said body or casing and having' oifsets at their inner ends extending inwardly toward each other, a pair of oppositely-arranged abutments engaging said olfsets, a sleeve connected to one of said abutments, a rod connected to the other of said abutments and extending through said sleeve, means for locking said sleeve and abutment together and an ad justing-serew engaging said sleeve to simultaneously adjust said abutments and spread or contract said arms, substantially as described.

13. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing and with the straight-edge or marking-blade carried thereby, ot'a pair of laterally-extending gage-arms pivoted to said` body or casing and having offsets at their inner ends extending' inwardly toward each other, a pair of oppositely-arranged abutments engaging said offsets, a sleeve connected to one of said abutments, a rod connected to the other o1l said abutments and extendingI through said sleeve, an adj Listing-screw sleeve connected to said abutment-sleeve for simultaneously adjusting said abutments to spread or contract said arms and a nut for locking said screwsleeve and for connecting said abutment, sleeve and rod together, substantially as described.

14. An instrument of the character described eomprising a body or casing, pivoted arms projecting from said body or casing and having inner ends extending' toward each other, a revoluble screw-threaded sleeve extending into said body or casing, a sleeve within said screw-threaded sleeve and provided at its inner end with ahead to engage the inner ends of said arms, a clamp-rod provided at its inner end with a head to engag'e the inner ends of said arms and extending through said last-mentioned sleeve, said rod being' provided at its outer end with a threaded portion, and a lock-nut mounted upon the threaded outer end of said rod and provided with a part adapted to engage the outer end of said screw-threaded sleeve.

l5. An instrument of the character described comprising a body or casing, pivoted arms projecting from said body creasing and having' inner ends extending' toward each other, a revoluble screw-threaded sleeve extending' into said casing, a sleeve mounted within said screw-threaded sleeve and provided at its inner end with a head and provided at its outer end with a iiange engaging the end of said screw-threaded sleeve, a rod extending' through said revoluble sleeve and provided at its inner end with a head and hav- IIO IZO

enact/4 ing a screw-threaded outer end, said heads at the ends of said revoluble sleeve and of said rod engaging the inner ends of said pivoted arms, and a lock-nut upon the outer threaded end of said rod and having a portion engaging the end of said screw-threaded sleeve.

16. In a protractor, the combination of a body or casing, of a gage laterally projecting therefrom and adapted to abut against the edge of the work, an upright standard mounted on said body or casing to revolve on its vertical axis, a support on said standard mounted to revolve on a horizontal axis and a fiat marking blade or standard carried by said support and arranged flatwise in line with the axis thereof.

1T. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, of a pair of laterally-projecting gage-arms therefor arranged to abut against the edge of the work and locate the body or casing in proper relation thereto, an upright standard on said body mounted to revolve on its vertical axis, a laterally-projecting support on said standard mounted to revolve on a horizontal axis and a flat, straightedge or marking-blade carried by and longitudinally shiftable on said support and arranged iiatwise in line with the axis thereof.

18. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, of a laterally-projecting gage therefor adapted to engage the edge of the work, an upright standard on said body mounted to revolve on its vertical axis, a laterallyprojecting supporting-post on said standard mounted to revolve on a horizontal axis, means for bodily adjusting' said rotatable supportingpost on said standard and a marking-blade or straight-edge longitudinally shiftable through said support, substantially as described.

19. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, with a laterally-extending gage thereon adapted to abut against the edge of the work, of a base mounted on said body or casing and rotatable on a vertical axis, a standard fixed to said base, a laterally-extending, rotatable pivot-post on said standard, a fiat, straight-edge longitudinally shiftable through said post and arranged flatwise in line with the axis thereof, and with one of its ruling edges in line with the vertical axis of said base and standard.

2i). In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, of a rotatable disk or base thereon, a standard mounted upon said disk or base and having a face in line with the axis of said base, a laterally-extending pivot-post on the face of said standard, a fiat straightedge or marking-blade longitudinally shiftable through said post and held thereby with one of its edges against the face of said standard, substantially as described.

21. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, of a laterally-extending gage thereon adapted to abut against the edge of the work, a standard mounted on said body or casing and rotatable on its vertical axis, a pointer and scale for determining the angular adjustment of said standard and said body or casing, a supporting-post carried by said standard and rotatable on its horizontal axis, means for bodily raising' and lowering said supporting-post and a marking-blade longitudinally shiftable through said support, substantially as described.

22. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, with a laterally-extending gage connected to said casing and adapted to abut against the edge of the work, of a standard mounted on said body or casing and rotatable on its vertical axis, a scale and pointer for determining the angular adjustment of such standard and casing, means for clamping said parts in adjusted position, a supporting-post on said standard rotatable on its horizontal axis, means for bodily adjusting said supporting-post on said standard, a markingblade or straight edge longitudinally shiftable through said support and means for clamping said marking-blade or straight-edge to said support, substantially as described.

23. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing and with alaterally-extending gage therefor adapted to abut against the edge of the work, a standard mounted on said body or casing and rotatable on its vertical axis, a member mounted on said standard and rotatably adjustable on its horizontal axis, a supporting-post eccentrically mounted on said member and rotatable on its horizontal axis and a marking-bar carried by said supporting-post and longitudinally shiftable thereon, substantially as described.

24. An instrument of the character described, comprising a body or casing provided With gage-arms projecting therefrom, a standard rotatable on a vertical axis extending upwardly from said body or casing and provided with a post rotatable on a horizontal axis, and a sliding' bar carried by said post and provided with a marker at its end.

25. In aprotractor, the combination with a body or casing and with a marking-blzule or straight-edge carried thereby, of a pair of gage-arms pivoted to said body and having outer bearing ends adapted to abut against the edge of the work and plates eccentrically mounted upon the upper portions of said bearing ends.

26. In a protractor, the combination with. a body or casing and with a straight-edge or marking-bar carried thereby, of a pair of gagearms pivoted to said body or casing adapted to abut against the edge of the work, means for adjusting said pivoted gage-arms and a straight gage-bar and means on the ends of said gage-arms for connecting said straight gage-bar thereto, substantially as described.

27. An instrument of the character described, comprising a body or casing provided with pivoted projecting arms provided IOO at their outer ends with Vertical rods or shafts, eccentric plates carried upon the upper ends of said rods o1' shafts and jam-nuts engaging the lower ends of said rods or shafts.

28. In a protractor, the combination With a body or casing and with a laterally-extending gage connected to said casing adapted to abut against the edge of the Work, oli' a standard mounted on said body or casing and rotatable on its Vertical axis, a disk mounted on said standard and rotatably adjustable on its hori- Zontal axis, a supporting-post eccentrically swiveled on said disk and a marking-bar carried by said supporting-post, substantially as described.

29. Ina protractor, the combination with a body or casing and With a laterally-extending gage connected to said casing adapted to abut against the edge of the Work, of a standard mounted on said body or casing and rotatable on its vertical axis, a disk mounted on said standard and rotatably adjustable on its horizontal axis, a supporting-post horizontallyT and eccentrieally swiveled on said disk and a marking-bar `carried by said supporting-post and longitudinally shiftable thereon, substantially as described.

30. In a protractor, the combination with a body or casing, of a marking-blade rotatably connected thereto, a pair of gage-arms pivoted to and extending laterally Jfrom said casing beneath said marking-blade, said gagearms having rounded bearing-heads at their ends adapted to abut against the edge of the Work and locate the blade in proper relation thereto and means for adjusting' said pivoted gage-arms, substantially as described.

ABRAHAM ANDERSON.

W'itnesses:

AXEL G. EKSTRAND, GUsTAvUs A. SHALLBERG. 

